Football | 09/22/2019

MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho redshirt junior linebacker Charles Akanno was named the FCS National Defensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness, after leading the Vandals to a 35-27 victory Saturday, against No. 11 Eastern Washington. Akanno recorded career highs with nine tackles and three pass breakups to go with a forced fumble and three quarterback hurries, while assisting on a tackle for loss.
 
Idaho's defense bottled up the Eagles in the first half, thanks in large part to Akanno. The Inglewood, Calif., native had five tackles, two pass breakups and forced a fumble recovered by the Vandals all before halftime as Idaho held Eastern Washington just six first downs and 103 yards of offense and took a 28-0 lead into the locker room.
 
In the second half, Akanno stepped up when the Vandals needed him most. Nearing the end of the third quarter, the Eagles threatened to make it a two-score game with first-and-goal from the one. Akanno controlled the line of scrimmage on four straight plays, recording one huge tackle and a fourth-down quarterback hurry to cause an errant pass and turnover on downs.
  
The Vandals went on to record their first win since 1999 against a team ranked No. 11 or better in any national poll.

Through four games, Akanno ranks among the Big Sky leaders in pass breakups, fumbles forced and tackles for loss. Akanno was also named College Sports Madness' Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week.
 
The Vandals open Big Sky Conference play Saturday, at Northern Colorado. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. MT/noon PT and will be televised by Eleven Sports.